~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Ferguson … justice for only some? a repost


Corinne Ball, MoveOn.org Civic Action

Many of us have wrestled with intense emotions—sadness, anger, shock, and more—as we’ve followed the ongoing situation in Ferguson, Missouri.

The police killing of unarmed 18-year-old Michael Brown has ignited weeks of demonstrations. Even though most protesters have been peaceful, police appeared armed with military-grade equipment.1 Reporters have been threatened and arrested by police while trying to report the story.2 The whole country has been watching what’s happening in Ferguson.3 

Many of us have asked: What can we do to ensure justice for Michael Brown? What is this awful situation revealing—or reminding us—about racism in America, police militarization, and the way our criminal justice system too often fails communities of color? 

Many of us have been moved to take action. Nearly 150,000 MoveOn members joined ColorOfChange.org to call on the Department of Justice to intervene in the investigation into Michael Brown’s death. That petition will be delivered next week in Washington, DC.

Tens of thousands of us added our names to MoveOn member and Missouri State Senator Jamilah Nasheed’s petition calling for an independent prosecutor in the case. And many of us have made phone calls, joined community protests and vigils, and more.

MoveOn member and Missouri State Senator Jamilah Nasheed delivered tens of thousands of MoveOn member signatures in St. Louis this week, and her campaign has drawn coverage from CNN to the Wall Street Journal and beyond.4

The vigils and national outcry have already had an impact in Ferguson. Attorney General Eric Holder—who came to meet with Ferguson residents in person—is overseeing a Department of Justice investigation.5 The FBI is conducting an investigation into civil rights abuses by the Ferguson police department.6 And a grand jury has been convened to determine if charges will be filed against Officer Darren Wilson.7

We still have much left to do and many complex issues to address before Ferguson—and America—can heal and move forward. There is no quick fix. But there are things we can all do right now to get involved in the push for justice.

One step you can take—if you haven’t already—is to sign Senator Nasheed’s petition calling for a special prosecutor to investigate the shooting death of Michael Brown. Faith leaders and local residents have joined Senator Nasheed in expressing serious doubts about whether the prosecutor in St. Louis County, who previously failed to charge officers for murdering two unarmed black men, will objectively investigate the officer responsible.8

There’s also a huge amount of thoughtful online commentary that’s been sparked by this tragedy. Whatever you’re reading about Ferguson now, consider passing it along to a friend to keep the conversation going. Here’s one option: This piece from MSNBC’s “All In With Chris Hayes” puts the story in a broader perspective in a conversation with Marq Claxton, a retired New York Police Department detective, and Phillip Agnew, founder of the young activist group Dream Defenders:

Together, let’s continue to reflect, to speak out, and to take action.

Thanks for all you do.

–Corinne, Maria, Anna, Mark, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. “A Former Marine Explains All the Weapons of War Being Used by Police in Ferguson,” The Nation, August 20, 2014
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=300422&id=100249-17809870-7a_RFkx&t=7

2. “6 more journalists arrested in Ferguson protests,” CNN, August 19, 2014
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=300423&id=100249-17809870-7a_RFkx&t=8
3. “A Movement Grows in Ferguson,” The New Yorker, August 17, 2014
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=300415&id=100249-17809870-7a_RFkx&t=9  4. “Concerns arise about prosecutor in Michael Brown case,” CNN, August 20, 2014
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=300425&id=100249-17809870-7a_RFkx&t=10“Missouri Governor Won’t Replace Prosecutor in Michael Brown Probe,” Wall Street Journal, August 21, 2014
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=300426&id=100249-17809870-7a_RFkx&t=115. “Jay Nixon: Missouri Highway Patrol Will Take Over Supervision Of Security In Ferguson,” Associated Press, August 14, 2014
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=300416&id=100249-17809870-7a_RFkx&t=126. “FBI Will Investigate Death of Black Teenager in Missouri,” The Washington Post, August 11, 2014
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=300417&id=100249-17809870-7a_RFkx&t=14

7. “Holder visits Ferguson as grand jury hearings begin,” Los Angeles Times, August 20, 2014
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=300424&id=100249-17809870-7a_RFkx&t=15


8. “Protesting the Prosecution,” Slate, August 21, 2014
http://www.moveon.org/r/?r=300418&id=100249-17809870-7a_RFkx&t=18

Want to support our work? MoveOn Civic Action is entirely funded by our 8 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.

 

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

TODAY: Remember Renisha


 Matt Nelson, ColorOfChange.org
Renisha McBride was fatally shot through a door by Theodore Wafer, as the 19-year-old Black woman sough help after a car accident.
Justice for Renisha now!

Remember Renisha

Please share this image to show your support.

Join Us

Nineteen year-old Renisha McBride — an unarmed Black woman from Detroit — was tragically shot dead in a mostly white suburb of Dearborn Heights, MI on Saturday, November 2, 2013. She was seeking help after being involved in a car accident nearby. Renisha was lost and frightened when she approached the home of 54-year-old Theodore Wafer. But instead of offering this distressed innocent young woman a helping hand, Wafer fatally shot her through the front door of his home.1

Jury selection in the trial of Theodore Wafer is set to begin today.2 Now is our chance to demonstrate that Renisha’s family is not alone in their calls for justice and that they have the love and support of people across the country who are counting on the Wayne County Prosecutor, Kym Worthy, to deliver justice the first time so that this case won’t have to be argued in higher court.

Show your love and support for Renisha. Please share this image with your friends and family to send a powerful message that we’re paying close attention, we want a full, fair and just trial and that we are prepared to take action.

The tragic murder of Renisha hasn’t stopped calculated attempts to smear and criminalize her by Cheryl Carpenter, Wafer’s defense attorney. Carpenter recently requested a judge let jurors see photos of Renisha that show her with wads of money, alcohol and marijuana.3 As the trial gets underway this is likely the storyline that the media will run. But we can change this narrative and make it clear that this trial is not about calling up ugly racist stereotypes; its about justice, ensuring that Black lives are valued and protected, and that perpetrators who commit unconscionable, violent or deadly acts against Black folks are held accountable.

Renisha’s life was cut brutally short in circumstances that have become far too familiar — a young unarmed Black person gunned down by a white person harboring dangerous racist stereotypes, deep-seated and unfounded fear and a proclivity for racial profiling.4 Renisha is lovingly recalled by her family as “a caring person who loved cars and shopping, worked for Ford Motor Co. and had aspirations of becoming a police officer.” Renisha deserves to be alive today to fulfill her dreams. And while a murder conviction could never bring Renisha back, by sharing this powerful graphic we can send our love and support to her family, loved ones and Detroit community and fight back against irresponsible efforts aimed at criminalizing and putting the victim on trial.

Please share this powerful image to show your love and support for Renisha. And when you do, please ask your friends and family to do the same.

Thanks and peace,

— Rashad, Matt, Arisha, Aimée, Jamar and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team
July 21st, 2014

P.S. Click here to download either the poster-size version or the Facebook share size of the image.

Help support our work. ColorOfChange.org is powered by YOU—your energy and dollars. We take no money from lobbyists or large corporations that don’t share our values, and our tiny staff ensures your contributions go a long way.

References

1. “Community rallies, demanding justice for 19-year-old Renisha McBride,” Fox Detroit, 11-07-13
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/3677?t=8&akid=3504.1174326.QoDt62

2. “Theodore Wafer Trial Judge Disallows Victim’s Texts,” Huffington Post, 06-27=14
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/3677?t=11&akid=3504.1174326.QoDt62

3. “Defense May Question Renisha McBride’s Lifestyle In Murder Trial,” Newsone, 04-04-14
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/3679?t=13&akid=3504.1174326.QoDt62

4. “Yes, It Is About Race,” Huffington Post, 03-13-14
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/3681?t=15&akid=3504.1174326.QoDt62

5. “After funeral, Renisha McBride’s family looks to ‘bring the tenor down’ on outcry as shooting investigation continues,” MLive Detroit, 11-08-13
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/3682?t=17&akid=3504.1174326.QoDt62
~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Jennifer McClellan will win special election and become Virginia’s first Black congresswoman


check out the story by the writer below

Story by Chandelis Duster

Virginia state Sen. Jennifer McClellan will win the special election for Virginia’s 4th Congressional District and will become the first Black woman to represent the commonwealth in Congress, CNN projected Tuesday.

McClellan will defeat Republican Leon Benjamin, a pastor and Navy veteran, to succeed the late Democratic Rep. Donald McEachin, who died in November.

For the enitre article, go to CNN news

Source: CNN

politics,pollution,petitions,pop culture & purses